Surgical suturing device



Apr. l?, 1923. 1,452,372

- J. s. GMEZ SURGICAL SUTURING DEVIQE'.`

Filed 0G12. l5. 1921 Pagg ZZ /ZZZ 23' raam am. 11,1923.

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SURGICAL SUTURING BEVICE.

lApplication tiled October 15, 1921. Serial No. 507,886.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOAQUIN SANCHEZ GMEZ, a` subject of the King of Spain, re-

u means for conveniently and quickly closing 'y wounds of the foregoing description.

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character :for use in making all kindssof sutures on the human body and also in animals, the apparatus being devised to ensure that the tissues of each and every character will be solidly united.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a suturing device wherein needle like sutures may be used, the sutures being made either of metallic or absorbable material according to the particular treat ment desired to be given to the patient.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide 'asuturin Adevice in which the materialcan b e rapid y and eiciently sterilized by .reasonC of its being oi? metallic nature and thus being able to withstand high temperatures.

A fth important object of the invention is to provide an improved Vsuturing means whichwill tend to great rapidity in suturing thus savingv time in the operation and' requiring the patient to be kept underthe influence of anaesthetcs a minimum of' time after the operation itself is completed.

A Asixth important object of the invention is to provide an improved ,suturing device which is purel mechanical in its operation and thus enab es the suturing to be accomplished in 'a precise manner and to produce exact coaptatlon of the tissue margin whereby the operator is enabled to secure straighter and more perfect surgical scars..

s A seventh important object o the4 inventlon is to provide a device which is of such` a nature that the usual dressing, common in sutures of the skin, is eliminated and thus the surgeon has his time conserved and the patient is -freed from the pain and annoyance of such dressing.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in general of. certain novel details of lconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

oand specifically claimed.

In theaccompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and v Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved suturing device showing the same partially clos'ed and with the closing forceps applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the under side of the suturing device, the dressing strip being laid back.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail cross section through the device showing one form of the sutures in position in the flesh with the wound margins in coaptation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of one .end of the suturing device showing the clip for holding the two strips together.

Figure 5 is a detail showing a .portion of the strips in plan and locked together.

\ Figure 6 is a detail cross section view through the strips showing thc concave side of one of the interlocked members.

Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 6 showing the opposite side of the interlocking member.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a pair of forceps used for moving the interlocking elements into closed and opened positions.

Figure 9 is a detail section through one of the jaws of these forceps.

Figure 10 is a section similar to Figure 7 but showing a modified form of needle.

Figure 11 is a view of the end clip 'which is used to hold the exible strips together, the figure showing the clip in face and side views when in its open position.

' f Figure 12 is a view of the biades of a pair of "forceps used or quickly applying the strips tothe 'esh.

In the bembodiment of the invention herein illustrated there is disclosed a pair of iiexible strips or ribbons 10 and along the proximal edges of each of these ribbons are mounted in closely spaced relation the interlocking elements each of which consists of a body portion 11 carrying at one end a head 12 which is convex on one side as shown in head of one of the pair of elements while the concave portion of the head of the first element receives the convex portion of the other of said pair. This is clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. The bodies 11 also carry legs 13 between which is clamped the marginal portion of the strip or ribbon 10 which carries the interlocking elements.

Preferably the end portions of two of these strips are secured by a clip which is preferably made of metal yielding readily to bending and having opposed body portions 14 provided at their edges with serrations 15 and connected by a neck 16. This clip is bent at the neck portion and the aws clamp the strips 10 as shown in Figure 4, the serrations 15 assisting in holding the strips against slipping out from between the jaws. In order to bring. the interlocking elements into locked engagement and to separate them when desired I provide a pair of surgical forceps indicated in general at 17 and one jaw of these forceps is provided with a head having converging channels 18 uniting to form a single channel 19. These channels are separated by an acute angled septum or partition 20. The other jaw of these forceps is flattened as at 21 to provide a cover for said channels. When this tool is applied to the interlockingelements as shown in Figure 1 it will be obvious that the elements on the two strips will be l(ruid-` ed by the channels 18 into the channels 19, and as the width of the latterl is properly proportioned the heads 12 can be forced between each other and locked as shown in Figure 5. Conversely the separation of the interlocking elements may be effected by moving the head of the forceps in the opposite direction.

In order to hold the strips 10 to the esh on each side of the wound I preferably employ a. five per cent solution of Celluloid in acetone. Y,

In order to afford a dressing which may be applied 'at the same time a strip or ribbon 22 is secured to one of the strips 10 in such position that it 'can underlie the interlocking elements. This dressing strip protects the wound from'contact between thev elements and renders unnecessary any further dress- Tn many instances it is found that the reeaave mere adhesive attachment ofl the strips 10 to the skin is not suiiicient to ensure propercoaptation of the wound margins. In such cases there is provided on certain of the interlocking elements an extension 23 of the under leg and to this extension is fixed a needle like suture 24 which penetrates into the tissues. These sutures may be arranged on the interlocking elements on one or both sides as preferred and maybe of any desired shape. In some instances it is preferred to make these suturing needles of substantially semicircular forms so that the needle, when applied, penetrates from one side of the wound Vto the other and projects at its point above the skin so that this oint can be received in a small socket 25 ormed in the lower leg of an interlocking element on the opposed strip. In other cases the needleslmay take the form as shown in Figure 11 where a nearly straight needle 26 is disclosed. @her forms, particularly adapted to the individual case will readily suggest themselves to the experienced surgeon and are not deemed necessary to be illustrated in their manifold varieties in the present instance.

Whenever needles are employed they may be either of metal or they may be made ofivory, bone, hard rubber or any other material which is sufiiciently rigid and which may or may not be capable of absorption by the orga-nic tissues as desired by the surgeon.

In using the device with needles it is preferred to employ a special instrument for quickly applying the needle provided ribbonto the flesh and to this end there has been devised the forceps illustrated in Fi ure 12. These forceps are provided wii the usual pivotally connected members 27 having oppositely disposed jaws 28 which are in the form of shallow channels arranged transversely of the members 27 and facing each other.

In usin the device with the needles a sec- I tion of t e ribbon is grasped between the jaws 28 and the points of the needles are applied to one margin of the wound. Pressure is then exerted which quickly forces the needles to the desired position. If needles are used on both ribbons the other ribbon is then entered in the same manner, it being obvious that incase the wound is longer than the length of the channels the forceps will be shifted along the ribbon from time to time until the entire ribbon is enga ed. When this is done the forceps 17 are app ied to the interlocking members and drawn quickly from one end to the other of the sutures.` This closes the interlocking mem bers together and brings the margins of the feo wound into coaptation with the dressing strip L 22 in proper position. No further dressing Vlo l a head at one end nascere.

but, in the event that it should be for any reason necessary to open the Wound the interlocking elements may be quickly separated by the use of the forceps 17 so that access may be had to the Wound.

There has thus been provided a simple and eihcient device of the kind described and for/the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention Without departing from the material principles thereof. lt is not therefore desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as properly come Within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. A suturing device comprising opposed interlocking elements, a needle like suture lixed to one of said elements, and means for supporting the elements on opposite sides of a Wound.

2. A suturing device including a pair of dexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced and staggered relation along the proximal edges of said strips, and needle like sutures supported on certain of said elements.

3. A suturing device including a pair of flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the edges of each strip, the elements of one strip being opposite the spaces between the elements on the other strip, and needle like sutures car-4 ried by certain of the elements of one strip and curved to terminate in proximal relation to the elements of the other strip.

l. A suturing device including a pair of flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the edges of each strip, the elements of one strip being opposite the spaces between the elements on the other strip,'and needle like sutures carried by certain of the elements of one strip and curved to terminate in proximal relation to theelements of the other strip, each of certain of the elements of the other strip being provided on its under side witlna socket to receive the point of one of the needles.

5. A suturing device including needles adapted to enter the flesh at opposite sides of a Wound, and supports for said needles arranged to interlock and hold the sides of the Wound together.

6. In a Wound closing device, a pair of supporting strips, and interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal edges of the strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having and spaced stripy gripping legs at the other end, said head having one lateral face concave and the other convex, the under legs of certain of said elements being provided with flesh \penetrating needles.

7. ln a Wound closing device, a pair of ,e opposed flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal edges of said strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head at one end ,and stripv engaging means at the other end', said head being shaped and arranged to lock between two similar adjacent elements on the opposite strip, the under side of certain of said elements being provided With flesh penetrating needles.

8. ln a Wound closing device, a pair of supporting strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal edges of the strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head at one end and spaced strip gripping legs at the other end, one of the legs of each of certain of said elements being provided With a flesh penetrating needle, said head having one lateral face concave and the other convex, and means engaging the opposed sets of heads and arranged to draw the heads together into locking position when moved in one direction and to force the same open when moved in the opposite direction.

9. ln a Wound closing device, a pair of supporting strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal edges of. the strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head'at one end and spaced strip gripping legs at the other end, one of the legs oi each of certain of said elements being provided with a esh penetrating needle, said head having one lateral face concave and the other convex, and means engaging the opposed sets of heads and arranged to draw the heads together into locklng position When moved in one direction and to force the same open when moved in the opposite direction, said means including a head having converging channels uniting to form a single channel, the converging channels being se arated by an acute angled' septum.

10. n a Wound closing device, a pair of opposed flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal edges of said strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head at one end andstrip engaging means at the other end, said head belng shaped and arranged to lock between tvvo similar adjacent elements on the opposite strip, the under side of certain of said elements be,` ing provided with flesh penetrating needles. 11. In a Wound closing device, a pair of opposed flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximalv edges of said strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head at one end and strip Iengaging means at the other end, said head being shaped and arranged to lock between two similar adjacent elements on the opposite strip, the

under side of certain of said elements being provided with flesh penetrating needles, and means engaging the opposed sets of heads and arranged to draw the heads toi interlocking elements, a needle like suture fixed to one of said elements, means, .for supporting the elements on opposite sides of a wound, and a dressing strip secured to said means and underlying said elements.

13. A suturing device including a pair of flexible strips, interlocking elements ar` ranged in spaced and staggered relation along the proximal edges of said strips, needle like sutures supported on certain of said elements, and a dressing strip secured to one sof the before mentioned strips and underlying said elements. l

14C. A suturing device including a pair of flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the edges of each strip, the elements of one strip being opposite the spaces between the element-s on the other strip, needle like sutures car' ried by certain of' the elements of one strip and curved to terminate in proximal relation to the elements ofthe other strip, and a dressing strip secured toone of the before mentioned strips and underlyingsaid elements. Y

15. In a wound closing'device, a vpair of supporting strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal edges of the strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head at one end and spaced strip gripping legs at the other end, said head having one lateral face concave and the other convex, the under legs of certain of said elements being provided with flesh penetrating needles, and a` dressing strip secured to one of the before mentioned strips and underlying said'elements.

16. In a wound closing device, a pair of opposed flexible strips, interlocking elements arranged in spaced relation along the proximal ledges of said strips, each of said elements comprising a body portion having a head at one end and ystrip engaging means at the other end, said head being shaped and arranged to lock between two similar adjacent elements on the oppositestrip, the under side of certain of said elements being provided with flesh penetrating needles, and a dressing strip secured to one of the before mentioned strips and underlying said ele ments.

17. A forceps for applying sutures of the class described comprising a pair of pivotally connected members each having a jaw at one end, one of said jaws being provided with converging channels'separated by a wedge member, the otheriof said jaws bcing provided with a flattened portion to cover said channels.

18. A forceps for applying sutures of the class described comprising a pair of pivotally connected members each having a jaw at one end, one of said jaws being provided with converging channels separated by a wedge member, said jaw being further provided with a straight channel leading from said converging channels, the other of said jaws being provided with a flattened portion to cover said channels.

19. A surgical suture applying forceps comprising a pair of pivotally connected members, said members being provided at one end each with a jaw, said jaws being arranged in opposed relation and each con sisting of a transversely extending elongated member, said members being channeled throughout their length on their opposed faces.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

JOAQUIN SNCHEZ GOMEZ. 

